Merritt ADN 2013

jstrawberry · Apr 21, 2013

Has anyone heard anything yet? I am very nervous because I believe I didn't make the 80% cut off. Does anyone know how they calculate you GPA? Or if one repeat lower your overall Chancellor number?

Bluejemm · Apr 25, 2013

FYI, I just got my letter from Merritt College today! If you made the first round the letter will tell you to send your electronic TEAS V score to the ADN program director by 4pm on May 7th.

Good Luck!

RNstudentMom · Apr 25, 2013

Bluejemm, that is so exciting!

jstrawberry · Apr 28, 2013

I didn't make the cut off the letter stated. Apparently my grades from over ten years ago were calculated into the formula. Kinda strange when I have accumulated more then 60 units from then with more then a 3.0 gpa. I also received an A in English and had a 3.0 in my prerequisites.

hollyday · May 25, 2013

I'm in! Who else is ready for the adventure?!

kidzpastorlynn · May 27, 2013

I am in beginning the Fall 2013. I can hardly wait till orientation. I have so many questions and I really want to get started studying on my own before August.

Does anyone know if/when the summer bridge program for nursing student will be... and what is covered. I just heard it's important to take it.

heartdrop · May 28, 2013

Hi @kidzpastorlynn,

I have just graduated from this progam and what you heard is true: the summer bridge program IS important to take and it takes A LOT of discipline to get through it. It will cover essentially the whole Fundamentals book with extra stuff included : drug dosage, critical thinking, care planning, etc. I was one of the 14 people to take the summer class and I can attest for its preparation for the next two years. It typically starts in July, I believe and runs 6 weeks. They should talk more about it at orientation.

As far as getting ahead on the reading this is for sure going to put you there. I couldn't tell you if they are using the same books as they did last semester, since they changed them for the last class. At-any-rate, you should be provided a book list at orientation.

If you haven't already...check out other threads:

https://allnurses.com/california-state-nursing/merritt-college-adn-571399.html

https://allnurses.com/california-state-nursing/merritt-college-fall-712276.html

kidzpastorlynn · May 29, 2013

Hello, Heartdrop!

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer me.

I went online and looked at the bookstore, there are a lot of books, but the Fundamentals was the Perry & Potter 8th edition. Sound right?

I normally order all my books online, but I am reluctant to do so before our meeting. I just want to make sure I get the right books and don't get a lot of "recommended" books that I am never going to open.

So, if I understand you right we will go through the whole fundamentals book in 6 weeks and that will be the text that we are using in the fall, also? Wow! Well, I am determined to do what I have to to make it through this program.

I do have another question... I am wondering if during Christmas (winter) break, if we will actually get to take a break?? I am a mother of 5 and grandmother of 11 (#12 on the way). This has been one of the more difficult things for me to face. That is the fact that I am not going to have much time for family. I have a son away in college and he will be coming home for Christmas/New Years. Have you had that time free over the past couple years or is it still an intense study time?

Thanks again!

~Lynn

heartdrop · May 29, 2013

Lynn,

I would assume that you'd be using the 8th Ed of Perry & Potter, though it is not definite.... I would wait for orientation, it's only a week from today. There will be used books for sale by the 2nd year students at orientation. As far as what books to get, Fundamentals and Drug Dosage for sure. You will need reference books like Drug reference, lab values & Dx, IV meds when it comes to care-planning (roughly the second half of semester). The med-surg book you typically read 2 chapters out of it in the first semester. The books I have recommended and will continue to recommend are the Hogan "review and rationales" books, they have them in almost every subject and have been quite helpful in studying when you don't want to look at the Fundamentals book anymore.

Yes, the summer class gets you reading pretty much what you will read during the fall plus more (as I mentioned before), including taking tests. From what I know the class is graded by participation and work completed and not by score.

Christmas break. well.... there are certain things that make it a "working break". When you are transistioning from 1st semester to 2nd semester you are either going into one of four courses (Med-Surg or Psych OR Maternity or Peds). It always helps to get a jump on the reading (you have roughly 5 weeks), however depending on which rotation you are heading into (different hospitals) there are some thing you MUST do that are required to be done before you can start in january. For example, if you are going to Kaiser there are online learning modules you must do and paperwork, etc. It's not much but it can get stressful with the holidays. I went into Med-Surg for the first half of 2nd semester and most of those items were due by the 1st of january! So brace yourself for situations like that. Other than those few things during breaks, I was able to enjoy my breaks, get some quality family time in, and work a little. While going to nursing school sacrifices time with family and friends, you will find the time that you need have with them. prioritization is key and many students have done it with big families, small babies, deaths, and even pregnant!

niederbrachj · May 29, 2013

I am in for Fall 2013!! I have a question for the current or graduating nursing students. What is the schedule like for the first semester as far as what time class begins/ends and clinical times? I am asking because I work overnight until 6am and I am trying to figure out if I will need to quit. If classes or clinical starts at 7am then I will need to quit. Thanks!

heartdrop · May 29, 2013

first semester is two parts. the first nine weeks is the theory "bootcamp" you have Fundamentals lecture 8am-12, skill lab (pm), and Drug dosage on Wed. Tests were on Friday for this last fundamentals class. the second 9 weeks, mid october, is when the clinical rotation starts. you would have lecture on mondays and clinical either on T-W or Th-F with 7am start times. the three hospitals that have been part of our fundamental rotations are Kaiser Richmond, Highland Hospital, and Alameda Hospital.

I don't know what it is like working overnight and then sitting for lecture, but I would definitely get something figured out so that you don't get too fatigue. The first 9 weeks are intense, passing the first three tests is vital to continuing in the program. I put all my energy into studying for the first semester and didn't return to work until christmas break.